NOT surprisingly, politics take top priority on the front page with SNP leader, Alex Salmond,wooing Wickers in the precint on his whistle-stop tour. He told shoppers that renewed political representation in Caithness, would help to transform the county. He said that the area’s future as the “epicentre of the renewable revolution” could be strengthened by having closer links to a party that is “wholly committed to Caithness. Mr Salmond reiterated his intent to capitalise on renewables in Caithness, when he hit the campaign trail in Wick, accompanied by Highland Council hopeful, Gail Ross and Holyrood candidate for Caithness , Sutherland and Ross, Rob Gibson. Mr Salmond also gave his backing to the campaign to keep the Wick tax office open. The centre is scheduled to close next year and Mr Salmond took the opportunity to hear, first-hand from staff who displayed their banner “Wick wants work”, and handed out leaflets, in the Market Square.

HIGHLANDs and Island Enterprise finds space on P1 with an ‘artistic’ row and attracted an apology from HIE. They accepted that there had been a communication breakdown which left the county’s arts umbrella group unaware tenders had been issued and unable to submit work the enterprise company is commissioning on the end-of-the-road site at John O’ Groats. Despite apologising, they have refused to extend the April 11 deadline. One Caithness artist revealed that work she had proposed to put forward is now bound for Shetland.
THE other front page story communicates some, good, non-controversal news. Thurso is preparing itself for one big party as a new surfing festival kicks off this weekend. Wave North launches on Saturday, to celebrate the O’Neill Coldwater Classic competition, taking place been Wednesday, April 13 and Tuesday April 19. It aims to show surfers and visitors that it won’t just be in the water where the action will be happening.
INSIDE An historic underground waterway through Pulteneytown, has been built over without permission, it has been claimed. Wick Paths Group secretary, Jenny Bruce, alleges that Pulteneytown People’s Project has covered over parts of Telford’s mill lad in the construction of its multi-million pound community centre in Huddart. Miss Bruce says she understands that another waterway may have been damaged, earlier, in the construction. She has complained to Historic Scotland, the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuements of Scotland, and the historical engineering panel of the Institution of Civil Engineers.
RAISING cab fares is essential in helping operators stay in business, according to firms in Caithness. Highland Council is currently reviewing the maximum price taxi companies can charge per mile. The review is being carried out by the TEC services commit which is asking members of the public to share their views on the proposals.
NOTHING quite like a shaggy dog story although this canine tale is a sad one. A home is being sought for two –five-week old puppies who were left to die in a Wick park. Local dog warden Anne MacDonald was shocked to hear the story when the two black-and-tan lurchers came into her care. They were found abandoned at the bottom of Bignold Park, by children on March 24. After police picked them up, they came into the care of Ms MacDonald who also runs a dog fostering charity in her spare time. Hopefully, caring owners can be found to give the story a happy ending at least.

VANDALS destroyed equipment designed to measure the speed and volume of vehicles travelling through a pedestrian-priority zone in the centre of Wick. A temporary traffic counter located in Market Square was deliberately slashed at the weekend. The incident took place on Saturday when the rubber lines were in place to collect information. Caithness ward manager, David Sutherland said it was disappointing that equipment designed to make the town centre a safer place had been destroyed.

A FEELING of deja vu for Wick Academy as they were unable to press home their twice lead advantage against Clach at Harmsworth Park, on Saturday. After the game, co-manager Ian Munro said it was a disappointing performance but he was glad that they still had a point to show for their efforts. He described the team's performance as “flat” and added they had failed to raise their game.